If You Forget

1 John 1:9 promises that, “if we confess our sins to Jesus, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

In other words, if you recognize the fact that you’ve sinned against God, you make a decision to come back to Him, then you ask Jesus to forgive you, your relationship is restored.

So then what? Jesus said in John 15:4 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”

Once the relationship is restored you want to make sure it grows and becomes strong because the closer you are to Jesus the stronger you are and the more peace you’ll experience.

So here’s three ways to stay close to Jesus:

1. Read the Bible

Timothy 3:16 reminds us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” The Bible reveals the heart of God and the way he wants you to live your life.

2. Put what you read in the Bible into practice

James 2:20 says, “faith without works is dead”. Knowledge without application will not produce any results.

3. Find a good church and strong, authentic Christians so that you can be part of the faith community

1 Thessalonians 5 instructs us to “encourage one another and build each other up.”

So surround yourself with those who will help you stay closer to the Lord, not draw you away from him.

Let me pray for you:

Father,

We give thanks because no matter how far we’ve gone we can always come home to you.  

You are a good father who loves us and, through Jesus, your arms are opened wide and in your presence we find forgiveness, blessings and acceptance.

We give thanks for all these things in Jesus name, amen

If you aren’t careful the holiday season can become very stressful and even depressing. So, to prevent that, here are three ways to boost your joy this Christmas season:

1. Be Thankful, Even If Things Are Crazy Right Now

1 Thessalonians 5 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Your joy doesn’t come from your earthly circumstances; it comes from your heavenly standing. 

No matter what is happening in this world you are a child of God, deeply loved by your Heavenly Father, and sealed by the blood of Christ. 

There’s nothing in this world that can ever separate you from God’s love. So give thanks for his love and the grace that has helped you make it through this year.

2. Serve God By Serving Others

1 Peter 4 says that “each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others. Use whatever gifts he’s given you to help others and build them up. 

Whether it’s giving time or money or using your talents, share the love of God with those around you through your words and your actions. 

3. Remember That Christmas Is About Christ

Christmas is about the gift we received in Jesus. 

Christmas is when we remember that our dark and weary world was given a great light through a Savior who would save us from our sins and give us hope.

A Savior foretold by the prophets, who entered this world through a virgin, was crucified on a cross, laid in a grave, resurrected from the dead, ascended to heaven, who sits at the right hand of the Father and who will return again one day.

No sickness, no shut down, no circumstances can ever take away that gift.

Let me pray for you:

Father,

Bless us with the light of Christmas, which is faith. Bless us with the hope of Christmas, which is grace. Bless us with the spirit of Christmas, which is love. Bless us with the true meaning Christmas, which is Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, amen.

God bless you.

Hi, I’m Paul here with today’s reminder. 

Isaiah 9 verse 2 gives us this beautiful promise: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.  For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”

Promises like these were given in the Old Testament but then God stopped speaking through the prophets for 400 years.  It was a time of silence and darkness; a time where the people thought God had abandoned them and that he wouldn’t keep his promise to save them.  

But the truth was God wasn’t pulling away, he was moving, drawing closer, working, preparing the world for Jesus to bring hope and salvation and light to the dark and weary world. 

In the same way do you feel like God is far from you? Do you find yourself walking in darkness? Are your troubles deep and overwhelming? Are you tired of struggling?

If so remember that Jesus still offers hope, he still saves, he still carries your burdens, he still is a bright light to lead you out of the darkness.

Trust Jesus to save you from your sin, lay the troubles you carry at his feet, follow him, pray, read his word, live out his teachings and be filled with hope this Christmas.

Let me pray for you:

Father,

In the darkest hour you send your brightest blessings. Thank you for the hope we have in Jesus. Our sin and the troubles of this world are no match for the grace, compassion and love we find in him. 

Let us never forget this truth.

In Jesus name, amen.

You might be struggling to find things to be thankful for during a pandemic. But remember, sometimes God sends his brightest blessings during the darkest times.

Hi, I’m Paul here with today’s reminder. 

1 Thessalonians 5 verse 18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

It’s been a hard year filled with disappointment and loss. Maybe you’re wondering if anything to be thankful for or if anything good can come out of such a hard season. 

Jesus’ followers thought the same thing as they saw him on the cross. They thought, “how can anything good come from this?”

But God’s ability to bless us and to do good works in our lives isn’t limited by anything that’s going on in this world. 

We often don’t see the good he’s doing until later on but he’s always working, always drawing us closer, always leading us to blessings. 

So don’t lose hope. Continue to give thanks, no matter how dark things may look, because you know that your Lord and Savior is the light of the world. He loves you and he’s for you and he has a good plan for you.

Let me pray for you:

Father,

Help us stay focused on the good work you’re doing in our lives. We give thanks because you bring good from evil, light from darkness and hope from despair. 

You are a good father who loves us so. Thank you for all the blessings you’ve given us. 

In Jesus name, amen.

The world is a scary place right now. Jesus told us it would be like this. But he also told us to not be afraid. 

Hi, I’m Paul here with today’s reminder. 

The world doesn’t seem to have a lot of hope to offer these days but Jesus does. Whenever you’re anxious remember these three things Jesus said to settle your heart and give you peace.

#1 - Jesus said you would have trouble but he also said he would give you peace.

In John 14 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

The troubles of this world may be big but Jesus is bigger. He’s still in control, and he still loves you, so keep your eyes on him and he’ll fill you with peace. 

#2 - Jesus said to follow God and not worry about your life.

In Matthew 6 Jesus said “do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The Lord knows what you need and he will provide. He’s freed you from the burden of worry. Follow him, trust him then watch him work in your life.

#3 - Jesus said you will be with him forever.

Again in John 14 Jesus made this promise: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

You may have trouble in this world but this world is not your home. Your home is with Jesus. Nothing in this world can ever separate you from his love. Everything is going to be okay. 

Let me pray for you:

Father,

Thank you for the hope we find in Jesus. Whenever we’re worried, remind us of these beautiful promises so that we may be filled with peace.

In Jesus name, amen.

In Isaiah 46 verse 4 God says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime -- until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.  I will carry you along and save you.

So in this verse God gives us five promises.

Promise #1 - The Lord will be your God throughout your lifetime.

The Lord is your God and you are his child. He loves you and cherishes you. He will never leave you and he will never forsake you. You are going to be okay.

Promise #2 - God made you.

Psalm 139 says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made you for a purpose. Your life has value. You are nothing less than God’s beautiful creation.

Promise #3 - God will care for you.

God is a good, good Father. He’ll provide for you. In every season of life he’ll make sure you have everything you need. 

Promise #4 - God will carry you

You may face hard times, temptations and trials but God will carry you through them all. Psalm 37 says that “though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”

Promise #5 - God will save you

Your sin may be great but your Savior is greater. You were bought for a great price, as 1 Corthians 6 says. God loved you so much that he gave his only son Jesus to pay for your sin. 

God gave up too much to ever give up on you. 

Let me pray for you.

Father,

When we feel lost, remind us we are safe in your care. When we feel afraid, remind us that we are under your protection.  

You are our God, you made us for a purpose, you care for us and you saved us because you love us so.

We love you and thank you in Jesus name, amen.

With COVID still wreaking havoc on our lives it’s easy to lose hope. But Jesus is greater than Covid.

Hi, I’m Paul here with today’s reminder. 

In John 16 verse 33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus gives you peace when in faith you pray, you read his word, you trust in his promises and you let him lead you. So make sure you’re doing these things daily, keep your eyes fixed on him and he will fill you with his peace. 

The world is constantly trying to convince you that trouble rules this world but that is a lie. 

Jesus is still on his throne. 

His peace is greater than trouble. 

His love is greater than hate.

His shelter is greater than the storm.

His salvation is greater than sin.

His joy is greater than sadness.

His hope is greater than uncertainty.

Covid is big but Jesus is bigger. The troubles of this world are great but Jesus is much greater. So focus on your Savior, not your situation. Your situation is temporary but your Savior is everlasting.

Let me pray for you.

Father,

Give us strength when we are weak. Give us hope when we doubt. Give us peace when we are troubled and give us joy when we are sad.

Remind us that you are in control now and always. 

In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Thank you so much for listening. Remember you can go to ifyouforget.com to subscribe to this podcast and also to enjoy past episodes. God bless you.

Are you struggling to set boundaries with people? If so let’s look at how Jesus did it.  

Hi, I’m Paul here with today’s reminder. 

So think of boundaries as a fence you put up around yourself to protect your physical, emotional and psychological health. 

Healthy boundaries are necessary for a healthy relationship with people and with God.

So let’s look at three examples of Jesus setting boundaries. 

1.  Jesus set boundaries physically by sometimes distancing Himself from others to recharge.

In Luke chapter 5, word of Jesus’ ministry spread and crowds of people flocked to Him.making demands on his time, everyone wanted something from Jesus, but verse 16 tells us he often withdrew from everyone to pray.

 2.  Jesus set emotional boundaries by refusing to get pulled into pointless arguments

In Matthew 21 the religious leaders tried to pull Jesus into an argument. 

They asked him by what authority He was doing the things he was doing.  

So in verse 24 Jesus says “if you answer my question I’ll answer yours”. Then He asks them by what authority John the Baptist do what he did.

When the religious leaders refused to answer, Jesus saw that they weren’t interested in searching for truth. 

He saw that they were only interested in dragging Him into an argument so Jesus cut the conversation off then went back to preaching.

3.  Jesus set physcological boundaries by not allowing Himself to be manipulated. 

In Matthew 16 Jesus is explaining to His disciples that he needs to go to the cross.

Peter isn’t having it and tells Jesus that this can not be allowed to happen.

Jesus responds in verse 23 by saying that Peter isn’t concerned with God’s will, he’s only concerned about earthly things and again shuts the conversation down to return to preaching and teaching.

In each of these cases Jesus set boundaries so that he could stay focused on his Father’s will. Anything that took the focus off of God was something Jesus wouldn’t allow so we shouldn’t allow it either.

Let me pray for you, 

Father, help us to recognize people and situations that take our focus off of you.

Give us the strength and wisdom to say no, to walk away and to know when advice isn’t beneficial. 

Protect our hears and minds and always keep us in your love.

In Jesus name, amen.

Thank you so much for listening. Remember you can go to ifyouforget.com to subscribe to this podcast and also to enjoy past episodes. God bless you.

When someone causes you pain you have a choice: Respond by hurting them back or break the cycle.

Hi, I’m Paul here with today’s reminder. 

Romans 12 tells us to “not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary:

If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

Now listen, this passage is not telling you to stay in a dangerous or abusive situation. If you’re in a situation like that make sure you seek safety.

What it’s telling you is that when someone hurts you, and you respond by hurting them back, the cycle of evil continues.  

So God reminds you that He wants something better for you than this endless cycle of hate and pain and revenge. 

I know this is hard to do but let go. Let God judge. Let God deal with those who have hurt you.

Anything the Lord has called you to do He’ll give you the strength and the grace to do it. 

So pray, trust, remember His promises, let Him work, break the cycle and experience the freedom He’s calling you to.

Let me pray for you.

Father,

Fill us with your Spirit to respond to evil with good, the strength to let you fight for us, the grace to forgive those who hurt us and the faith to move forward to the blessings you’ve set before us.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen.

If you feel weak and overwhelmed remember 2 Corinthians 12 where God reminds you, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.”

If you feel burdened with family troubles, sickness, or worry remember Psalm 34:

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” 

If you feel attacked by temptation remember 1 Corinthians 10:

“God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

And finally when you think that you just can’t take anymore, remember Deuteronomy 33, “your strength will equal your days.”

That means that however many days God has given you, He’ll give you the strength to make it through each one of them, because He loves you.

Let me pray for you,

Father,

Thank you for Word that reminds us that you love us, you protect us, and that you are always there for us.

We give thanks in Jesus name,

Amen.